Cobonpue makes Filipino designs world class

MANILA, Philippines - Famed Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue continues to capture the U.S. and Europe markets today with his furniture manufacturing business based in Cebu. Having made it internationally, Kenneth inspires entrepreneurs all over the country to think big, pursue their dreams and grow their businesses.

Cobonpue, a Globe Negostar, created the proudly Filipino-made design the Voyage bed that was patronized by famous Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. His creations were featured in the film Ocean’s Thirteen and TV program CSI. His designs won numerous awards and he has received recognitions both here and abroad. He has been featured many times in various international publications, but he continues to dream big and turn it into a reality. For his next project, he said, “We’re doing a vehicle made of bamboo that we will present in Milan next year.”

His edge is innovative production of furniture from local materials but presented in modern design and carefully handmade. This goes through strict quality control, with each product passing 10 signatures before it gets out of Cebu. Thus, a month is allotted to manufacture and ship the product as a furniture is made only upon placement of an order.

Aside from his innovative production technique, Cobonpue makes use of local materials like abaca, bamboo, buri and rattan that are widely available in the Philippines but presented in modern designs. These give his creations a unique and new feature that attracts foreign markets. “A new design is really a new material or innovative use of old materials. For this kind of thing each material is unique and so many factors go into it,” he said in an interview.

Cobonpue’s biggest influence in entering design and the furniture business is his mother Betty Cobonpue. He would always create things when he was a child. “My mother was a designer and we had this company manufacturing furniture. So naturally I went into the business,” he said. He studied at Pratt Institute in New York and trained abroad. As Kenneth took on the family business, it wasn’t an easy start as he had set himself on what he wanted to do and initiated a change.

Upon returning to Cebu to manage the business he decided to brand his designs with his name. Back then, the Philippines had many furniture exports made from local materials that are manufactured by volumes but are not branded. Kenneth wanted to change this.

As a result, he operated at a loss for about two years. But he persevered because he knew his products were good. He had an exhibit abroad and got good feedback. But in the Philippines he wasn’t taken seriously. When China and Vietnam started making furniture at a cheaper price the same export manufacturing businesses in the country suffered.

Today, Cobonpue continues to make new intricate furniture designs every year that cannot be imitated. The craftsmanship makes his creations exceptional as everything is made by hand. In the past, his people took so long to weave a living room showpiece seat but today it only takes them a day and a half to finish one. “There are other brands all around Southeast Asia looking at doing this as a business model. Newer brands are now looking at us and doing a good job on their own,” he said.

Cobonpue’s entire operations are located in Cebu, which includes an exclusive showroom and the stylish office, and a high quality manufacturing plant. He also has distribution offices in Washington, DC and Portugal. To closely manage his business, Cobonpue relies on his Globe services. He values communication in his business as he makes sure his entire team is constantly in touch and always well-coordinated.